MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES +2 - Since both teams have great incentive to put forth their best effort this game, I will side with what I feel is the better team as an underdog. Minnesota put an end to their 3-game losing streak with a 5-point victory over Seattle on Wednesday, and they find themselves ? a game behind Portland for the 4th seed in the West. Keep in mind that the Timberwolves have never won a playoff series in their history, largely because they have never had home court advantage. Therefore, it is important to them that they secure the #4 seed, as they would then have home court advantage in the first round. The Wolves have now won the last 4 head-to-head meetings with Phoenix, including a 7-point win their last visit here this season. Phoenix now has a 2-game lead in the loss column over Houston for the 8th and final playoff spot. However, they have struggled with the better Midwest Division teams this season, going a collective 3-6 S/U vs. these Wolves, Dallas and San Antonio.
